etu Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 We've owned and camped several years in our 2004 Keystone Challenger 5w but we've never used the fresh water tank. Guy we bought it from 5 years ago had also never used it either. We are going on a trip next month and may need to boondock one or 2 nights so I thought I'd read up on it. The manual is not very detailed ("it's automatic, fill with water and turn on the switch on the water tank monitor"). Anyway I filled it and opened the faucets and turned on the switch and everything works fine. But I still don't understand fully how it works. For example, when using city water, what keeps the city water from running through the pump and into the fresh water tank. And now that I have it full how do I drain it? I want to drain it and refill with disinfecting solution. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaperuvian Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I may not know how to drain your tank but here is an article on cleaning your water tank. HOW TO SANITIZE YOUR RV FRESH WATER TANKS APRIL 9, 2014 PEOPLE & PLACES 8 COMMENTS Yuck. Nothing tastes worse that the first sip of water through a just de-winterized RV’s plumbing system on the first trip of the year. That’s why it is important to sanitize that fresh water tank. And for that, there are lots of different approaches. Everybody seems to have their favorite way of sanitizing the fresh water system. Roadtrek Motorhomes has a suggested way, though. Here it is, how to sanitize your fresh water tanks, lifted from the instruction manual for the eTrek we use. There are similar instructions for all Roadtrek models. Find yours by clicking toroadtrek.com/manuals.aspx and then reading the section on de-winterizing. Some people will disagree with this and think it overkill. Others will say it’s not enough. But for me, this is what I plan to do. Note: If you follow this completely, it takes a lot of time, ideally a couple of days at least. And this is for the fresh water system. Your hot water system also needs to be de-winterized. But since there are so many differences in the way the different models heat water, you can look up your recommendations in the manual specific to your vehicle. Roadtrek suggests a two step fresh water sensitization process: First step You will need 2 gallons of water and 1 cup of fresh bleach. (Bleach loses its potency over time; always start with bleach that is less than 6 months old.) Mix up two gallons of water and one cup of chlorine bleach. Add to the fresh water fill. Allow a few minutes to drain into exterior tank. This is a good time to get some stuff for spring cleaning of your Roadtrek, so drive around for an hour. Let it sit for a couple more hours. The driving sloshes it around in the tank. That is good. When you get home again, open the drain valve and drain both tanks. This kills any bacteria in the tanks before you distribute them through the entire water system. Second step Mix 1/2 cup of chlorine with 2 gallons of water and pour into fresh water fill. Fill fresh water tank about 1/2 full. Add 1/2 cup of chlorine and fill fresh water tank about 3/4 full. Turn on water pump, circulate through entire system. Run water out of every faucet and shower head until you smell chlorine. With the water pump on, open the city water valve, and let the pump push water through the fill line for a minute or so. Run the galley faucet for several minutes. If you smell chlorine, your system is safe to use. If you do not smell chlorine or your water is foamy, or has a pungent odor, repeat this step. Drain completely, fill fresh water tank with clean water, run all faucets for 2-3 minutes each. To help get rid of the residual chlorine smell, pour a cup of vinegar into the fresh water tank, fill, let sit for a few hours, run the faucets for a minute or so apiece, drain the tank to ground, and refill with fresh water. There you go. Let us know how it works for you or what your process of sanitizing happens to be. http://roadtreking.com/sanitize-fresh-water-tanks/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rif Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 As for why the water does not flow into the tank when connected to city water, there is a check valve in the pump that permits water to flow only one way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill B Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 We always run with water! You never know when the urge will strike. And that way, all you need is a wide spot in the road. So far this year, we have been out of power twice (storms) for 3 days, and water for 2 days (you really should DISCONNECT the hose before you leave.) We had just got back from a rally and the tank was still full, so we were good. The park came around with a 500 gallon tank filling people up, while repairs were being made. My philosophy has always been, prepare for the worst, hope for the best, when you fall in the middle your still good to go. USA gave you some good advice on cleaning. As far as draining the tanks, look for some pipes out the bottom and should have some valves inside for draining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etu Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Thanks for the replies. Ill use those tips to sanitize. There are only 2 drain ports at the underside; one is cold line the other hot. These two are teed into the hot and cold lines just above the the storage area floor. (this floor covers the grey,black and fresh tanks)These drains would be low points in the water lines when using city water but the fresh water tank is located below where these drains tee into the water lines. There is no way to see the tanks unless you remove the under belly panel. I suppose I could open those drains and turn on the pump and it would eventually pump out the tank. Any other suggestions appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rif Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I'd look again. Usually there is a drain from the low point in the tank. Sometimes it is a separate line and valve, and sometimes it is in the line from the tank to the water pump. I've never seen a rig that did not have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I agree with Rif. Look in the area of the fresh water tank as there is almost always a drain valve in the line between the tank and the suction of the pump. The pump operates based upon pressure in the water lines, when you turn it on it will run briefly and then stop, starting again when you open a faucet or flush the toilet. When you connect to city water just leave the water pump turned off. RV water pumps are designed to work as a check valve when turned off and do not allow water to back flow to the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeBeFulltimers Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 If I were you I would properly sanitize the tank as instructed but would use bottled water for coffee, cooking, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 If I were you I would properly sanitize the tank as instructed but would use bottled water for coffee, cooking, etc. If you sanitize properly, why waste your money buying water that is just some city system that's been filtered? Get your own filter system to put between your RV and the supply and filter what goes into the tank or the system yourself? We have used our water system for all of our RV history and our own water filter for about the past 20 or so years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 What Rif and Kirk said. There's a drain somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etu Posted August 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Ok you all were right. There is a drain located between the 2 axles. Well hidden and considerably far back from the inlet and the hot/cold water line drains. Had to get down and crawl under to see it. Thanks for all the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rif Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Glad you found it. We didn't say it would be easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill B Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Depending on your area and your usage, maybe extends it out to someplace that you can reach easily. Glad you found it. If nothing else - label the outside bottom of the trailer for the next guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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